There was movement at the station for the word had passed around …that, one way or another, EAX might resume her journey in a few months time.
Both engines are to be removed, a replacement for the left coming from QFM’s DC3, VH-AES, and the right engine is expected to emerge, in April, from the HARS engine workshop following repair and full rebuild.
If the engine issues are still unresolved, plan B has been investigated and costed. That is, disassembly of the airframe and shipping her home.
Meanwhile, work on VH-CAT at Bankstown is progressing. Her water tank has been removed and she could be back in the air by year’s end, depending on funds.
And HARS’ Blackcat, VH-PBZ, successfully completed water operations last weekend on Lake Boga. (WW 2 Catalina base, about 300 kms north of Melbourne.) It is believed the water trials are in preparation for a flight to, and sea landing at Lord Howe, a Pacific island 800 kms east of Sydney, and home of Dick Smith, entrepreneur, aviator and major sponsor of PBZ.
Last edited by Wingnuts; 11th Mar 2011 at 21:00.